Job Discussion Forums

[Karitos]

Would any preference be given to native English speakers that also speak Arabic? Obviously, one would have to be qualified for the job, but all things being equal, does one who speaks Arabic have a leg up? Or is it that essentially an irrelevant consideration for employers in Saudi?

[cmp45]

[scot47]

It will be assumed that you have learned it for religious purposes.

[nomad soul]

[sicklyman]

[scot47]

That has been my experience - especially in Qatar. "You speak Arabic. You can teach the Beginners". A class composed of 50 year-olds who had worked for Qatar Petroleum for 10+ years and managed to acquire zero English in that time

[cmp45]

[Karitos]

Thanks for all the replies. I gather that it would be helpful for living there, but not necessarily in gaining employment. Appreciate the answers.

[nomad soul]

Plus, by using Arabic in class, you're only reinforcing (and acknowledging) the ineffective way they were taught English during their elementary and secondary school years.

When I taught in KSA, a sharp student from one of my previous classes whose English was quite good, once complained to me that her current teacher kept using Arabic to explain grammar points. The student said it was frustrating because the teacher, a Saudi, was speaking in Arabic while the students were trying to follow along with the English explanations in their books. The student said it hindered her full understanding of the grammar because 1) she had to grapple with two languages at the same time, and 2) she didn't trust the teacher's explanation in Arabic---that the teacher used Arabic to mask her own lack of understanding of the grammar. Anyway, I encouraged her to speak with the vice dean, and later that week, we all received a very stern email about using Arabic in class.

[mashkif]

[nomad soul]

[cmp45]

Yes whole heartedly agree with the English only policy in the classroom. however, at the very least, you will be able to understand what they are saying if they do speak Arabic as is the case when some of them confer with each other in class. It's a hard habit to break them of as they struggle with the English. Obviously common sense should prevail and not become manipulated by the students; on the other hand some teachers may not honor the English only policy if their first language is Arabic...I can see how a teacher might be tempted to speak Arabic, but is best avoided when teaching English.

[Karitos]

I've had enough frustrations with Arabic teachers using English in the classroom that I wouldn't want to use Arabic in the English classroom unless absolutely necessary. However, it can be useful to know what they're saying should they not be speaking in English.

I would think in dealing with Arabic-speaking colleagues and administration it could perhaps be useful, as well as dealing with students after class, etc, based on what people here are saying.

[nomad soul]

[Karitos]